title: Human coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein binds microRNA 9 and potentiates NF-κB activation.
abstract: The human coronavirus OC43 is a major contributor to the common cold worldwide, though due to its low mortality rate, little research has focused on this human pathogen. The nucleocapsid is an essential structural protein with conserved functions across the coronavirus family. While a multitude of studies have examined nucleocapsid function, none have described the effects of OC43 nucleocapsid on the transcription factor NF-κB. We report that the nucleocapsid protein of OC43 causes potentiation of NF-κB activation. This prolonged activation is the direct result of the ability of the nucleocapsid to bind RNA, specifically microRNA 9 (miR-9), which is a negative regulator of NF-κB. This previously undescribed interaction between virus and host is a potential mechanism of immune evasion in RNA viruses.
authors.affiliation: McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Frances W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Kyle B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mahony
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lichty
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D028962:Coronavirus OC43, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; C541874:MIRN92 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D016328:NF-kappa B; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins